[1]We played out a second 0-0 score line in two games under new Manager Rafa Benitez against neighbours Fulham. This leaves us with just two wins from our last 10 fixtures.
Di Matteo’s name once again rang around Stamford Bridge in the 16th minute – recognising the shirt number which he used to wear as a Blues player.
The former Liverpool manager made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 in his first game in charge against Manchester City on Sunday deciding to rest Juan Mata and John Obi Mikel, with Oriol Romeu and Ryan Bertrand coming in.
The atmosphere around Stamford Bridge was flat from the outset as we seemed to lack any invention. Oscar and Eden Hazard were denied space for creativity and Fernando Torres was again struggling as the focal point of the attack.
The only action of note in the first period came on the half-hour mark when Cesar Azpilicueta squared for Torres who turned sharply in the penalty area but struck his effort straight at Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with his left foot.
After the break it was Fulham who looked the more threatening.
A chipped pass by Giorgos Karagounis put John Arne Riise through on goal but the scuffed his shot from eight yards and Petr Cech was able to save.
Fifteen minutes from time Riise again tested Cech with a shot from 20 yards after a cross from substitute Kerim Frei.
The seconds ticked by until late substitute Juan Mata took a corner – half-cleared just outside the area but Azpilcueta planted the final kick of the game a couple of yards wide.
One bonus from the evening with West Brom losing, the point takes us back into third place on goal difference.
Gill Reeves – CSG disabled rep.
Stats from the BBC website: [2]
Chelsea
- 01 Cech
- 02 Ivanovic – Booked
- 03 Cole
- 04 David Luiz – Booked
- 28 Azpilicueta
- 34 Bertrand (Mata – 63′ )
- 06 Romeu – Booked
- 07 Ramires
- 11 Oscar
- 17 Hazard (Marin – 82′ )
- 09 Torres
Substitutes
- 22 Turnbull
- 19 Ferreira
- 24 Cahill
- 10 Mata
- 12 Mikel
- 13 Moses
- 21 Marin
Fulham
- 01 Schwarzer
- 03 Riise
- 04 Senderos
- 18 Hughes
- 27 Riether
- 07 Sidwell
- 14 Karagounis (Frei – 73′ )
- 16 Duff
- 19 Diarra (Baird – 64′ )
- 09 Berbatov
- 20 Rodallega (Petric – 83′ )
Substitutes
- 38 Etheridge
- 02 Kelly
- 06 Baird
- 08 Kasami
- 21 Frei
- 10 Petric
- 24 Dejagah